About this tour
A nine-hour private excursion from Lucca that takes you deep into Tuscany's marble heartland and the artistic hub of Pietrasanta. You'll explore active quarries where sculptors have sourced stone for centuries, then wander through Pietrasanta's galleries, studios and piazzas where contemporary artisans still work. Your English-speaking driver navigates you through this landscape in a comfortable Mercedes, stopping in the mountain village of Colonnata for its famous cured meats and local perspective. Designed for travellers wanting substance over surface.
Highlights
- Walk amongst active marble extraction sites in the Carrara mountains
- Pietrasanta's working artist studios and sculpture-filled streets
- Colonnata village: taste lardo cured in marble-lined cellars
- Private Mercedes transport from your Lucca accommodation
- Knowledgeable English-speaking driver-guide
- Retrace routes taken by Michelangelo and Renaissance masters
What to expect
You'll depart Lucca mid-morning and head northwest into the Apuan Alps, arriving at the marble quarries where you'll see the scale of extraction—terraced cliffs of white stone and the machinery that shapes them. The quarries operate actively, so you'll witness real working conditions. After, Pietrasanta reveals itself as a working town rather than a museum: galleries occupy medieval buildings, sculptors' workshops line narrow streets, and the central piazza hosts sculpture exhibitions. You'll have time to explore independently. In Colonnata, your guide will recommend where to taste the village's signature lardo—cured pork fat aged in marble containers—alongside local cheeses and wines. The drive back to Lucca winds through Tuscan countryside.
Good to know
Bring sturdy footwear for uneven quarry terrain and cobbled streets. Lunch is not included, though stops are built in—budget for meals separately. Some artist studios request small donations. The 4x4 quarry and marble cave tours cost extra if you want them. Infant car seats available on request.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.